1970Skylark

I have a 1970 Buick Skylark that cranks but doesn’t start. Once I had checked the choke I had realized that when I pressed the gas pedal down the choke plate had opened, which it is supposed to close. Is it possible the linkage can be backwards? If you have any idea of what the problem might be please write back! Thank you!

X Long Islander here. Do you have good spark to the plugs, will it fire if you spray carb cleaner into intake. Also what engine? Btw, welcome to the forum.

X Long Islander here. Do you have good spark to the plugs, will it fire if you spray carb cleaner into intake. Also what engine? Btw, welcome to the forum.


It’s a 350-4 5.7L V8 engine, yes it does have good spark

So it will start on carb cleaner? The choke will open when the throttle is floored, it should be closed when you just step on the pedal half way and release it. Quadrajet carb.

yea, welcome Cmatt..
maxwedge is right.. 3 things fire any engine.. you said good spark; since you popped the accel pedal and the butterfly opened, you've got air; so maybe fuel? if spraying carb clean the 'lark fired and died? then pull that dang Qjet paper element and spray it too, as one little piece of gunk from tank or line will cork that fuel filter..
if you do spray the carb clean down the throat and it fires, and clean filter and still no go, might disconnect fuel line and see if it's getting any.. if she was stored over winter, and this is first time fire up for spring, it might be blown diaphragm in mechanical fuel pump.. hope this helps..

As we can see, short on info here.

I have a 1970 Buick Skylark that cranks but doesn’t start. Once I had checked the choke I had realized that when I pressed the gas pedal down the choke plate had opened, which it is supposed to close. Is it possible the linkage can be backwards? If you have any idea of what the problem might be please write back! Thank you!

It is possible on a Rochester 2GC that the linkage is backward. It is also possible, but less likely, that a 4MV could have the linkage backward. However, in either case it is possible that the choke thermostatic element is wound backward if it is a carb-mounted thermostat. Those in a well in the intake are less likely to have that happen.

I have a 1970 Buick Skylark that cranks but won't start. I noticed the choke plate opens when I press the gas pedal, but it's supposed to close. Could the linkage be backwards? Any ideas on what might be wrong? Thanks!

If the choke plate is closed with the throttle at idle, opening the the throttle to nearly full is supposed to open the choke slightly. This is a clear-flood mode, and is by design.